Cricketers back at the crease

The Northumberland & Tyneside League is due to start on Saturday (April 17), and for many players it will be a welcome boost after almost a year out due to the coronavirus pandemic.This year the League will be split into eight divisions: 1-4, 5 north and south and 6 north and south.

In Division 1 local sides involved are Alnmouth & Lesbury and Morpeth 1sts.

In Division 2 there will be strong local representation with Alnwick, Bedlington, Blagdon Park, Tillside and Warkworth 1sts all competing.

Division 3 includes Alnmouth & Lesbury 2nds, Ashington Rugby, Berwick, Blyth, Cramlington and Stobswood 1sts.

Division 4 will see Bomarsund and Kirkley in action.

Division 5 North will feature mainly local sides with Alnwick, Berwick, Morpeth and Tillside 2nds all in action alongside Ashington Rugby, Bedlington, Blagdon and Cramlington 2nds, plus Howick, Rock, Ulgham and Warenford.

And in Division 6 North, it will be Berwick, Blyth, Bomarsund, Stobswood, Ulgham and Warkworth 2nds going to the crease along with Embleton and Wooler.

The NTCL fixtures for Saturday are:

Div 1 - Alnmouth & Lesbury 1sts v Newcastle City 1sts; Morpeth 1sts v Stocksfield 1sts.

Div 2 - Alnwick 1sts v Blue Flames 1sts; Backworth 1sts v Bedlington 1sts; Tillside 1sts v Blagdon Park 1sts; Lintz 1sts v Warkworth 1sts.

Div 3 - Berwick 1sts v Alnmouth & Lesbury 2nds; Ashington RCC 1sts v Stobswood 1sts; Allendale v1sts v Blyth 1sts; Cramlington 1sts v GEM’s 1sts.

Div 4 - Newcastle City 2nds v Bomarsund 2nds; Whickham 2nds v Kirkley 1sts.

Div 5 (North) - Bedlington 2nds v Howick; Monkseaton 1sts v Alnwick 2nds; Rock v Ashington RCC 2nds; Blagdon Park 2nds v Tillside 2nds; Warenford. Cramlington 2nds; Ulg(am 1sts v Morpeth 2nds.

Div 6 (North) - Bomarsund 2nds. Berwick 2nds; Blyth 2nds v Wooler; Warkworth 2nds v Embleton; Stobswood 2nds v Ulgham 2nds.

*Strict covid-19 guidelines have been imposed to enable the return.